Overingestion of methionine tablets by a dog
Villar, D.; Carson, T.L.; Osweiler, G.; Bryan, R.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology 45(6): 311-312
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-6296 PMID: 14640482 Document Number: 565554
Methionine tablets are used as urinary acidifiers for pets and to decrease damage from dog urine to lawns. A 39-kg Labrador Retriever ingested ~350 tablets containing 150 mg methionine/tablet is presented after repeated episodes of vomiting. The only abnormality was posterior ataxia suggestive of spinal cord injury. The animal was treated with iv fluids, steroids and gastrointestinal protectants. ~4.5 h after entering the clinic, the dog had a single seizure episode lasting 2-3 min which was treated with phenobarbital. Serum ammonia at that time was normal (0.19 mg/dL). The animal did not show further CNS abnormalities and awoke apparently normal. A musty odour of the breath was noticed through the course of the day, possibly due to volatile mercaptans produced from methionine metabolism. The animal made an uneventful recovery and was discharged the next day.